Political Parties and Electoral Processes

Functions of Political Parties

• Organize and mobilize voters
• Formulate and promote policy agendas
• Provide a spectrum for political choice and representation
• Recruit candidates for public office
• Facilitate governance and cooperation among elected officials

Organization of Political Parties in the U.S.

• Structure includes national, state, and local levels
• National parties have committees (e.g., DNC, RNC) to coordinate activities
• Parties are decentralized, with significant power at the state and local levels

Two Major Political Parties in the U.S.

• Dominance due to historical development and the winner-takes-all electoral system:
• Other parties struggle to gain recognition under this system
• Ideological alignment and the need for broad appeal limit the viability of third parties

Electoral College (EC)

• How it works:
• Each state has a number of electors equal to its congressional representation
• Candidates need a majority (270+) of the 538 electoral votes to win presidency
• Criticism of the EC:
• Misalignment between popular votes and electoral votes
• Focuses campaigning efforts on swing states
• Reform Proposals:
• National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
• Abolishing or modifying the EC entirely

Campaign Donations

• Maximum direct donation to federal candidate: $2,900 per election cycle
• PAC vs. Super PAC:
• PAC: Political Action Committee; limited spending, can contribute directly to candidates
• Super PAC: Independent Expenditure-only committee; unlimited spending but cannot coordinate with candidates

Nominating Presidential Candidates

• Process for Republicans and Democrats:
• Primary elections and caucuses followed by national conventions
• Criticisms of Nominating Process:
• Lengthy and complex process
• Often favors well-known candidates

Partisan Primaries Problem:

• Limits voter choice
• Can lead to more extreme candidates winning due to a narrow party base

Interest Groups

• Private Interest Group Example:
• Corporations or trade associations (e.g., Chamber of Commerce)
• Public Interest Group Example:
• Nonprofit organizations focused on public welfare (e.g., Sierra Club)
• Strategies Used by Interest Groups:
• Lobbying, grassroots mobilization, funding campaigns, and public campaigns

Criticisms of the Media (Fourth Branch of Government):

• Often accused of bias and sensationalism
• Influence public opinion through selective coverage

Voter Turnout in the U.S.:

• Presidential elections: Approximately 60% turnout
• Midterm elections: Approximately 40% turnout
• Compared to other democracies, U.S. turnout typically lower
• Reforms for Increasing Voter Turnout:
• Same-day voter registration
• Expanding access to polls and mail-in voting

Agents of Socialization:

• Family, education, media
• Differences between Liberals and Conservatives:
• Liberals: Favor government intervention in economy, social freedoms
• Conservatives: Emphasize limited government, traditional values

Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties:

• Civil Rights: Protect against discrimination, ensuring equal treatment
• Civil Liberties: Fundamental rights and freedoms (speech, privacy)

Landmark Supreme Court Decisions:

• Brown v. Board of Education (1954) - desegregation
• Roe v. Wade (1973) - abortion rights
• Miranda v. Arizona (1966) - rights of the accused

Civil Liberties Associated with Amendments:

• 1st Amendment: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly
• 2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms
• 4th Amendment: Protection against unreasonable searches/seizures
• 5th Amendment: Right against self-incrimination, due process
• 8th Amendment: Protection against cruel and unusual punishment

Trump's First 100 Days:

• Focus on immigration policies, tax reform, and healthcare initiatives
• Controversial actions on environmental regulations and foreign relations.